| 1. Don't get frustrated! Easier said then done, right? | | | | estate agent doesn't need to learn all about shopping |
| Well, I know all about getting frustrated while trying to | | | | at a grocery store if they are only interested in |
| learn Spanish. I come from a family where only English | | | | communicating with their Spanish speaking clients. |
| was spoken-so I know! There is no "set-pace" for | | | | There are many companies that offer career specific |
| learning Spanish. You need to learn at the pace that | | | | Spanish lessons. My company offers a complete |
| works best for you. That's where taking community | | | | Spanish for Real Estate program (see link below). |
| college/university classes can become difficult. They | | | | 5. Watch career specific Spanish television. What?! |
| tend to move at a fast pace. If you can keep up with | | | | You just said not to watch Spanish television! Okay, let |
| that pace-great! If you can't, you may want to pursue | | | | me explain: using real estate agents as an example, |
| other opportunities. There are tons of great online and | | | | you can occasionally find cable access channels that |
| private resources available. Check out my website | | | | will run local real estate shows advertising homes for |
| (see links below). I have companies listed on my | | | | sale in the area. They have the same type of shows |
| "Resources" page and also on my blog (see links | | | | in Spanish. It's a great, safe way to utilize and |
| below). | | | | recognize vocabulary you've learned. Once you have |
| 2. Don't watch Spanish TV if you are a beginner! They | | | | completed a career Spanish program, I would then |
| speak extremely fast and are using an enormous | | | | recommend delving in and watching these programs |
| variety of grammar and vocabulary. It's only going to | | | | on TV. The objective is to utilize your time and not |
| lead to frustration and aggravation. Who needs it?! | | | | waste it on something you don't understand or will only |
| 3. Study Study Study!!! Yes, you have to do it. No, you | | | | frustrate you. The majority of the words being spoken |
| do not have to spend hours on end. Chunk your study | | | | will be ones you are familiar with and learned in your |
| sessions into short periods of time. If you have note | | | | program. Plain old Spanish TV programs are not going |
| cards with vocabulary to memorize, I recommend | | | | to give you the same exposure or result. Another |
| studying them during television commercials. Who | | | | example: if you've completed a career specific |
| wants to work all day and then come home and study | | | | automobile sales Spanish program, watch one of the |
| all night? Not me! Keep your cards with you while you | | | | dealership's cable access programs. They run them in |
| are watching TV and only study them during the | | | | both English and Spanish. It's a great opportunity to |
| commercials. Memorization is best achieved when you | | | | revisit vocabulary and phrases you've learned. Plus, it |
| study for short, frequent periods of time. Please refer | | | | gives you the opportunity to listen to someone else, |
| to my blog for other study tips. | | | | besides your instructor, and decipher what they are |
| 4. Only study what you need/want to learn, specifically | | | | saying. Instructors enunciate and speak slower on |
| if you are in business and are only interested in learning | | | | purpose. Unfortunately, not all native speakers you will |
| specifics related to your field. For example, a real | | | | work with do that. |